Greek Symbols in Silver Jewellery

Ancient civilisations hold fascination for many people today. There were aspects of these societies that were extremely advanced and our forefathers lives were of course the roots of many of our lifestyle habits today. When it comes to jewellery, whether this is silver jewelery or gold jewellery, there is so much amazing evidence and history of it across these great ancient civilisations. The Greeks for example had started using gold and gems around 1400 B.C. But before this they had been skilled at making jewellery from animals and shells. Today if you travel to Greece you will see a multitude of jewellery shops with ranges of silver bracelets, rings, necklaces and gold jewellery that has a special quality about it. What is also apparent is that the ancient superstitions can still be seen today in some jewellery designs.

In ancient times the Greeks wore jewellery on special occasions and it was worn predominantly by women. By around 300 B.C. They had become masters in simple but colourful jewellery using pearls, amethysts and emeralds especially. Their jewellery at this stage was more straightforward than other cultures and there were also signs of cameos around this time which were created from Indian Sardonyx, which is a striped pink, cream and brown agate stone. As their workmanship progressed designs became more elaborate.

Jewellery was often expected to protect the wearers from the Evil Eye or even give the wearer supernatural powers. Of course apart from this like other societies it was worn as a sign of wealth, beauty and status. The Evil Eye however was a belief that the envy elicited by the good luck of fortunate people could results in their misfortune. Apart from wearing jewellery to protect themselves the Greeks had other rituals to ward off the Evil Eye. A healer would cast it away by silently reciting a prayer which would have been passed over from normally a grandparent of the opposite sex! The tradition says that if the person is afflicted with the Evil Eye both themselves and the healer will start yawning profusely. If this is the case the healer will then do the sign of the cross three times and also spits in the air three times. The Greeks had another test to check the Evil Eye which was by using olive oil. Normally olive oil will float in water, and in this test one drop of oil is placed in a glass of holy water and if the drop floats there is no Evil Eye. However if it sinks that there is and the ritual must be performed.

Apart from this belief there were older pieces of jewellery that have been found were dedicated to the Gods. The largest production of jewellery in these times came from Northern Greece and Macedonia. Another aspect of Greek belief that has been integrated into their jewellery right up until the present day is the Owl. The Owl is considered very important as The Owl of Wisdom. There are museum reproductions which show us the combination of the owl and also the olive branch in Greek Jewellery two of their most important symbols side by side - wisdom and peace.

In Greece today another symbol carried through on their silver bracelets, rings and necklaces is the meander, which is the greek key and this symbolises the eternal flow of things. They certainly do not lack in symbolism!

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